Double Bass, Guitar, Electric Bass, Piano

Anton Hatwich began his musical studies at age 3. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance at the University of Iowa, with Dr. Diana Gannett.  He also spent one summer attending the annual month-long master class hosted by bass virtuoso Gary Karr.  In the University setting, he took advantage of playing opportunities in the jazz department, where he studied with John Rapson and Rafael dos Santos.  He also appeared in concert with the University of Iowa Composer’s Workshop and the Center for New Music, both directed by composer David Gompper. 

Outside of classes, Anton gained valuable experience playing on the area’s diverse local music scene.  This work included jazz gigs, symphony orchestras, and backing up songwriters, as well as new music performances, musical and experimental theatre, and open improvisation.  A particularly formative experience was performing in an all-improvised duo setting with the great and underappreciated composer/clarinetist/saxophonist/improviser Robert Paredes.  After graduating in 1999, Hatwich enjoyed a fertile performance career in the Iowa City area.  He moved to Chicago in 2003, and currently plays in a number of bands on the Creative Music scene.  Among them are The Fast Citizens, Keefe Jackson’s Project Project, Josh Berman’s Old Idea, The Hats, and The Nick Mazzarella Trio.

Anton has been teaching music since 1998, with students whose ages ranged from 6 to 60+.  In 2000, he was hired as Visiting Artist in Music at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA, and he remained through 2002.  Anton also worked for three years as a University of Iowa All-State Band/Orchestra Camp staff member, working with both the Classical and Jazz programs.  Since coming to Chicago, he has worked with students of all ages in and around the city.